Susan Abayomi
Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc has strengthened its commitment to sustainable economic development by bringing together financial institutions, policymakers, investors, industry leaders and academics to explore ways of mobilising capital for Nigeria’s climate transition.
The initiative was highlighted at the third edition of the Stanbic IBTC Sustainable Finance Summit, organised in partnership with the Lagos Business School Sustainability Centre in Lagos.
Held under the theme, “Financing Nigeria’s Just Transition: Mobilising Capital for People, Policy and Prosperity,” the summit focused on practical strategies for attracting investment, expanding sustainable financing and supporting an inclusive transition to a climate-resilient economy.
The discussions examined how financial institutions and other stakeholders could unlock investment opportunities, navigate evolving regulatory frameworks and deploy innovative financing mechanisms, including blended finance, catalytic capital and green financial instruments.
Speaking at the summit, the Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Chuma Nwokocha, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to promoting environmental sustainability, social inclusion and economic growth through responsible financial practices.
He stressed that Nigeria’s sustainable development objectives required effective collaboration among government, the private sector and financial institutions to direct capital towards projects capable of generating long-term economic and social benefits.
According to Nwokocha, sustainable finance goes beyond environmental considerations, encompassing economic resilience, value creation and inclusive growth that benefits individuals, businesses, communities and the wider economy.
He emphasised the need to translate sustainability commitments into practical investment opportunities capable of supporting livelihoods, strengthening infrastructure and expanding economic prosperity.
Representing the Dean of Lagos Business School, Professor Bongo Adi highlighted the importance of aligning government policies with private-sector investment to accelerate sustainable development.
He noted that structured public-private partnerships, supported by data-driven policies and measures to reduce investment risks, would help attract institutional investors to environmentally sustainable projects.
Also speaking at the event, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Climate Finance and Stakeholder Engagement, Mallam Ibrahim Shelleng, described sustainable finance as an increasingly important instrument for economic diversification, infrastructure development, energy and food security, industrial competitiveness and employment generation.
The keynote address was delivered by Titilayo Oshodi, Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Climate Change and Circular Economy. Her presentation, titled “Capital Meets Climate: Financing Nigeria’s Just Transition at Scale,” highlighted the need for reliable data, supportive policies, strategic partnerships and appropriate financing to advance the country’s sustainability objectives.
A major highlight of the summit was the unveiling of the Standard Bank Group Sustainability Academy by Nwokocha. The initiative is designed to strengthen sustainability and environmental, social and governance (ESG) knowledge among learners and professionals across Nigeria and Africa.
The summit also featured a panel discussion on mobilising domestic capital for Nigeria’s just transition and sustainable growth.
The session brought together representatives of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers, The Infrastructure Bank and Carbonivity. It was moderated by Marilyn Obaisa-Osula, Partner for ESG, Climate and Sustainability at PwC.
Discussions centred on expanding domestic investment, scaling blended-finance models and improving transparency in ESG reporting to strengthen investor confidence.
In a presentation, Tosin Leye-Odeyemi, Head of Personal Banking at Stanbic IBTC Holdings, underscored the growing importance of integrating sustainable finance into mainstream financial services.
Kola Lawal, Executive Director of Enterprise Risk at Stanbic IBTC, urged stakeholders to move beyond discussions and implement practical measures that would advance Nigeria’s sustainability agenda.
Similarly, Orevaoghene Atanya, Director of the Lagos Business School Sustainability Centre, stressed the need to align sustainability priorities with appropriate financial instruments, supportive policies and innovative funding mechanisms to deliver tangible development outcomes.
The summit underscored the importance of collaboration among government institutions, investors, financial services providers, businesses and academia in mobilising the resources required to support Nigeria’s transition towards a more sustainable and inclusive economy.
Through the initiative, Stanbic IBTC and its partners are seeking to strengthen the connection between sustainable finance, climate action and economic development, with emphasis on converting investment opportunities into meaningful benefits for businesses, communities and future generations.
About Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc
Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc is a Nigerian financial services group and a member of Standard Bank Group. The organisation provides banking, wealth management and investment services, with a focus on supporting economic growth and sustainable development in Nigeria.
